Medical case



. 4, 1934. R. E. POLHEMUS MEDICAL CASE Filed Dec. 30, I932 w r 5 0 M mm0 E0 H mm A w WITNESSES Patented Dec. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT"OFFICE.

4 Claims.

This invention relates to medical cases, and more particularly to a caseor cabinet in which all articles necessary for use by diabetics may bekept. 7 5 A further object is to provide a relativelysmallportable'device which may be carried about on the person of theuser, and which not only carries all necessary equipment for insulininjections but also provides improved means for sterilizing hypodermicneedles.

My invention has particularly to do with an improved arrangement of anelectric heater and a sterilizing cup in which the needle is held so asto prevent any contact of the point of the needle with the interior ofthe cup during the sterilizing operation.

A further object is to provide a device of this character in which anelectric heater is employed and in which a compartment is pro- 2 videdfor the storage of the electric wire or f conductor so that needles maybe sterilized before use and in a most convenient manner.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certainnovel features of construction and combinations and. arrangements ofparts, all of which will be more fully hereinafter described and pointedout in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing,

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an improved device;

Figure 2 is a view partly in elevation, but mainly in section, on theline 2/2 of Figure 1, Figure 2 being on an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a top-plan view of my improved sterilizing cup;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the sterilizing cup illustrating amodification; and

Figure 5 is a view in section on the line 5/5 40 of Figure 4.

1 represents a box or case having a hinged cover 2, with suitablelocking means 3 to secure the cover in closed position. The box or case1 has a compartment 4 at one end for the accommodation of an electricwire or other suitable electrical conductor, and suitable attachmentsfor plugging into an electric circuit. 6 represents a plug which may beconveniently employed, and 7 is a switch, all of which may constituteportions of the flexible conductor 5 and may be stored in thecompartment 4.

The main portion of the box or case 1 has a platform cover 8 which isprovided with openings for the accommodation of a plurality ofreceptacles 9 and a bottle 10 which may contain insulin. This platform 8also provides clamps 11 in which a hypodermic syringe 12 may be,removably held. The platform also provides an opening for theaccommodation of a. container 13 for hypodermic needles, and suitablenon-metallic buttons 14 are preferably provided in the cover 2 to engagethe various receptacles 9 and prevent accidental movement of the latter.

Itis to be understoodthat my invention is not, limited to the particular1' construction and arrangement of containers as it is capable of a widevariation, but it. is also to be understood that the containers are inthe number, size and arrangement for the best storage of equipment foruse by diabetics.

I call particular attention to my improved electrical heater 15 which issupported in an opening 16 in the platform 8, and is electricallyconnected to the conductor 5 so that whenever desired the heater may beelectrically connected and generate heat. The heater 15 is preferably ofthe removable type so that it can be replaced whenever the heatingelement loses its eificiency, and with this idea the heater has ascrewthreaded plug 1'7 which screws in a threaded socket 18 in the case.

In connection with the electric heater 15 I employ an improvedconstruction and arrangement of sterilizing cup 19. This cup is ofgeneral cylindrical form, and has a recess 20 in its base so as to fitover the heater 15, and when the sterilizer is not in use this cup canbe reversed and when the cover is closed it will be held againstrattling.

The reference numeral 21 is employed to indicate a hypodermic needle.Needles of this character for use in hypodermic syringes for theinjection of insulin are equipped with enlarged more or less rectangularshanks 22, and this shank will support the needle when in horizontalposition above the bottom of the cup, but it is also desirable toprevent the needle from longitudinal and lateral movements, which willbring the point of the needle in contact with the Wall of the cup. Toprevent this movement of the needle I provide the bottom of the cup 22with a pocket 23. This pocket may be formed integrally on the bottom ofthe cup, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing, andconsists of a raised ledge 24, with an inclined Wall 25 at the back ofthe pocket so that this ledge and wall form a rectangular space for theaccommodation of the shank 22 of the needle 21. Furthermore, theinclined wall 25 insures the proper positioning of the needle eventhough it may have some movement due to the boiling action of water inthe cup. In other words, water in its boiling action will flow down thiswall 25 and tend to seat the inclined shank portion of the needle in thecup.

As a modification of this means for properly holding the needle in thesterilizing cup, I illustrate in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawing aremovable frame 25 which rests on the bottom of the cup and has upwardlyextending flanges 26 constituting a clamp to engage the rectangularshank 22 of the needle 21.

The employment of a case of this character is a great convenience tothose who are compelled to use insulin either at home or whiletraveling, as it not only maintains the insulin and. adjuncts for theuse thereof in proper, convenient assemblage, but it also provides animproved arrangement of sterilizer for the needle. It is of vitalimportance that the needle be sterilized and, hence, the provision ofsimplified, expedient means for accomplishing this purpose is of greatvaluein a case of this kind.

While I have illustrated what I believe to be the preferred embodimentof my invention, it is to be distinctly understood that various slightchanges may be made with regard to the form and arrangement of partswithout departing from my invention, and hence I do not limit myself tothe precise details set forth but consider myself at liberty to makesuch changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scopeof the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a case of the character described, the combination with a supportof an electric heater in the support, a sterilizing cup having arecessed bottom fitting over the heater, and capable of being reversedto support the same on the heater. 1

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with anelectric heater, a sterilizing cup having a recessed bottom to fit overthe heater, and means in the cup for so holding a hypodermic needle asto prevent contact of the point of the needle with the cup.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with anelectric heater, a sterilizing cup having a recessed bottom to fit overthe heater, said cup having a pocket in its bottom for the accommodationof the angular shank of a hypodermic needle.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with anelectric heater,-a-sterilizing cup having a recessed bottom to fit overthe heater, said cup having a pocket in its bottom for the accommodationof the angular shank for a hypodermic needle, the rear wall of saidpocket being inclined.

RUSSELL E. POLHEMUS.

